Silverstone catches the fools with 'backward track' put-on

©Silverstone

We'll admit it, of all the April Fool's stories that emerged at the crack of dawn yesterday, Silverstone's diversion was the clear winner.

On the only day of the year when 'fake news' is legitimate, a flurry of F1 write-ups took the internet by storm, most of them predictable like 'Lewis Hamilton retiring with immediate effect', or 'Rosberg returns to Mercedes'.

We concocted our only little joke, releasing a story about McLaren being bought out by Fiat-Chrysler and receiving Alfa Romeo power in 2018!

But Silverstone's antics took first prize hands down with a story about the venerable circuit reversing the way of the British GP, with drivers racing next summer in an anti-clockwise direction!

Silverstone put out a well-produced video with Jolyon Palmer, David Coulthard and Williams Rob Smedley all chiming in on difficulties of the new challenge.

A great April Fool's effort by the BRDC. Check out the video below in case you didn't catch it yesterday.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.